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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #367469
Research Project: Breeding Prunus and Vitis Scions for Improved Fruit Quality and Durable Pest Resistance

Location: Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research

Title: Identification of vitis cultivars, rootstocks and species expressing resistance to a Planococcus mealybug

Author
item Naegele, Rachel
item DAANE, KENT - University Of California
item COUSINS, PETER - E & J Gallo Winery

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/23/2020
Publication Date: 2/28/2020
Citation: Naegele, R.P., Daane, K.M., Cousins, P. 2020. Identification of vitis cultivars, rootstocks and species expressing resistance to a Planococcus mealybug. Insects. 11(2):86. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11020086.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11020086

Interpretive Summary: Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects that damage grape plants and berries by transmitting viruses, disrupting photosynthesis and excreting a sugary, sticky liquid that reduces cluster marketability. In the field, management of mealybugs relies heavily on chemical sprays to control the insect. Grapevines with natural resistance to mealybugs are needed for sustainable insect management. Here, ten different grape lines (cultivars and species) were evaluated for effect on mealybug growth. Rootstock cultivars had fewer mealybugs at all life stages (juveniles, adults and egg sacs) than scion cultivars across two separate experiments. This is the first report of resistance to Planococcus ficus (vine mealybug) in grape.

Technical Abstract: Mealybugs cause economic loss to vineyards through physical damage, fouling fruit and leaves with honeydew, and transmission of viruses. Planococcus ficus is one of several mealybug species in vineyards, and one that causes economic damage over a relatively large global range. To develop novel management tools, host resistance to P. ficus, which has not previously been identified for any grape cultivars, was studied. Ten grape lines (species, cultivars, and rootstocks) were evaluated for P. ficus resistance across two separate potted plant assays. Significant differences were detected among cultivars and rootstocks in the recorded number of P. ficus juveniles, adults and egg sacs. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay were two of the most susceptible grape cultivars for mealybug population growth, whereas rootstocks IAC 572, 10-17A and RS-3 all demonstrated some level of resistance. Southern fire ant (Solenopsis xyloni) was positively associated with mealybug populations, but did not have a negative effect on the observed presence of other arthropod species including potential predators.